Sectionalized belt guide for draper belt in an agricultural harvesting machine

ABSTRACT

A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes a plurality of platform sections, with each platform section including a leading edge. At least one platform section includes a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt, and a plurality of belt guides positioned partially above the endless belt adjacent the leading edge. The belt guides are movable relative to each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural harvesting machines, and,more particularly, to agricultural combines including a draper cuttingplatform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An agricultural harvesting machine such as a combine includes a head anda feeder housing which remove the crop material from the field, gatherthe crop material and transport the crop material to a separator. In thecase of thinner stemmed crops such as soybeans, wheat, etc. which may becut with a sickle bar carrying a plurality of knives, the head may alsobe known as a cutting platform. The separator removes the grain cropmaterial from the non-grain crop material. The grain is cleaned anddeposited in a grain tank. When the grain tank becomes full, anunloading auger which is positioned alongside the combine duringharvesting is moved to the unloading position in which the auger extendsapproximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the combine. Thecombine drives alongside a vehicle into which the grain is to beunloaded, such as a semi-trailer, and the unloading auger is actuated todischarge the grain into the vehicle.

A cutting platform may generally be of two types. One type typically hasa sheet metal floor with a dual feed auger near the rear of the cuttingplatform for feeding the crop material longitudinally to the feederhousing. A cutting platform of this type with auger feed is more common.

Another type of cutting platform, also known as a draper platform,utilizes a flat, wide belt, referred to as a draper or draper belt toconvey crop material. The arrangement and number of belts vary amongplatforms. One style of draper platform has two side belts that conveycrop material longitudinally, to the center of the platform, where acenter feed belt moves the crop material laterally into the feederhousing. Each belt is wrapped around a pair of rollers, one being adrive roller and the other being an idler roller. An example of thistype draper arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,397, whichis assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

An advantage of a draper platform is that larger amounts of cropmaterial can be transported without plugging, etc. For example, withwide platforms approaching 40 feet or even larger, the amount of cropmaterial transported to the feeder housing can be substantial. With anauger feed platform, the crop material may bind between the auger andthe back wall of the platform. In contrast, with a draper platform, thecrop material is carried on top of the belt with less chance forplugging.

Draper platforms currently in use have a rigid framework not allowingthe framework to flex to any appreciable extent during use. The draperplatform can be placed in a “float” position such that the cutterbar atthe leading edge does not dig into the ground, but the leading edge ofthe platform itself cannot flex across the width of the platform as aresult of uneven ground terrain. This results in some crop materialbeing missed in ground depressions, etc., while also possibly causing apart of the cutterbar to dig into localized ground elevations (e.g.,small mounds, etc.). Of course, missed crop material directly translatesinto missed revenue, and localized gouging of soil can cause additionalrepair expenses resulting from broken knives, knife guards, etc.

What is needed in the art is a draper platform which better follows theground contour during operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an agricultural harvestingmachine including a feeder housing and a cutting platform attached tothe feeder housing. The cutting platform includes a plurality ofplatform sections, with each platform section including a leading edge.At least one platform section includes a cutterbar assembly movable in alocalized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt,and a plurality of belt guides positioned partially above the endlessbelt adjacent the leading edge. The belt guides are movable relative toeach other.

The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a cutting platform foruse with an agricultural harvesting machine, including a plurality ofplatform sections, with each platform section including a leading edge.At least one platform section includes a cutterbar assembly movable in alocalized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt,and a plurality of belt guides positioned partially above the endlessbelt adjacent the leading edge. The belt guides are movable relative toeach other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top view of an agricultural combine includingan embodiment of a draper platform of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the agricultural combine ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the cutting platform shownin FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, top view of the leading edge of the cuttingplatform shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is fragmentary, sectional view as viewed along line 5-5 in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the belt guides, asviewed from the right of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side sectional view taken at the leading edgeof another embodiment of a cutting platform of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is shown an agricultural harvesting machine in the form of acombine 10 including an embodiment of a cutting platform 12 of thepresent invention. Combine 10 includes a feeder housing 14 which isdetachably coupled with cutting platform 12. Feeder housing 14 receivesthe crop material from cutting platform 12, both grain and non-graincrop material, and transports the crop material to a separator withincombine 10 in known manner (not shown). The grain crop material isseparated from the non-grain crop material, cleaned and transported to agrain tank. The non-grain crop material is transported to a chopper,blower, etc. in known manner and distributed back to the field.

Cutting platform 12 generally includes a plurality of platform sections16, 18 and 20, a cutterbar assembly 22 and a reel assembly 24. In theembodiment shown, platform section 16 is a center platform section,platform section 18 is a first wing platform section, and platformsection 20 is a second wing platform section. Although shown with threeplatform sections, cutting platform 12 may be configured with more orless platform sections, depending upon the particular application.

Each platform section 16, 18 and 20 generally includes a frame 26, aplurality of float arms 28 coupled with a respective frame 26, acutterbar 30 carried by the outboard ends of respective float arms 28,an endless belt 32, and a plurality of belt guides 34. The frame 26 offirst wing platform section 18 and second wing platform section 20 areeach pivotally coupled with center platform section 16, such that theoutboard ends of first wing platform section 18 and second wing platformsection 20 can move up and down independent from center platform section16. To that end, a lift cylinder 36 coupled between the frame of combine10 and feeder housing 14 lifts the entire cutting platform 12, a firsttilt cylinder 38 coupled between the respective frame 26 of first wingplatform section 18 and center platform section 16 pivotally moves firstwing platform section 18 relative to center platform section 16, and asecond tilt cylinder 40 coupled between the respective frame 26 ofsecond wing platform section 20 and center platform section 16 pivotallymoves second wing platform section 20 relative to center platformsection 16.

Cutterbar assembly 22 includes two cutterbars 30 carried at the outboardends of float arms 28 (i.e., at the leading edge of a platform section16, 18 or 20). Each cutterbar 30 includes a plurality of knives 42carried by a bar (not specifically shown). The particular type of knifecan vary, such as a double blade knife (as shown) or a single bladeknife. The bar is formed from a metal which is flexible to an extentallowing a desired degree of flexure across the width of cuttingplatform 12. In the embodiment shown, a majority of each cutterbar 30 iscarried by a respective first wing platform section 18 or second wingplatform section 20, with a lesser extent at the adjacent inboard endsof each cutterbar 30 being carried by center platform section 16.Cutterbars 30 are simultaneously driven by a single knife drive 44,providing reciprocating movement in concurrent opposite directionsbetween cutterbars 30.

A plurality of knife guards 46 are positioned in opposition to knives 42for providing opposing surfaces for cutting the crop material withknives 42. A plurality of keepers 48 spaced along cutterbars 30 have adistal end above cutterbars 30 for maintaining cutterbars 30 in placeduring reciprocating movement.

Float arms 28 may be pivoted at their connection locations with arespective frame 26. A float cylinder 50 coupled between a respectiveframe 26 and float arm 28 may be used for raising or lowering theoutboard end of float arm(s) 28 at the leading edge of cutting platform12. Each float cylinder 50 may also be placed in a “float” positionallowing the connected float arm 28 to generally follow the groundcontour during operation. More particularly, each float cylinder 50 isfluidly connected with an accumulator 52 carried by a platform section16, 18 or 20. Accumulator 52 allows fluid to flow to and from attachedfloat cylinders 50 such that no pressure build-up occurs. In thismanner, the rams associated with each float cylinder 50 are free to moveback and forth longitudinally, thereby allowing float arms 28 to followthe ground contour. When not in a float mode, float cylinders 50 can beactuated to move float arms 28 in an upward or downward direction. Inthe embodiment shown, each float cylinder 50 is a hydraulic cylinder,but could possibly be configured as a gas cylinder for a particularapplication.

Each float arm 28 is also associated with a respective roller 54. Theplurality of rollers 54 for each platform section 16, 18 and 20 carryand are positioned within a loop of a respective endless belt 32. At theinboard end of first wing platform section 18 and second wing platformsection 20 is a driven roller, and at the outboard end of first wingplatform section 18 and second wing platform section 20 is an idlerroller. The rollers positioned between the inboard drive roller andoutboard idler roller at each float arm 28 also function as idlerrollers. It will be appreciated that the number of float arms 28, andthus the number of rollers 54, may vary depending upon the overall widthof cutting head 12 transverse to the travel direction.

Reel assembly 24 includes two reels 56, center reel support arm 58 and apair of outer reel support arms 60. Outer reel support arms 60 arepivotally coupled at one end thereof with an outboard end of arespective first wing platform section 18 or second wing platformsection 20. Outer reel support arms 60 rotationally carry a respectivereel 56 at an opposite end thereof. Each outer reel support arm 60 maybe selectively moved up and down using a hydraulic cylinder, and thepair of hydraulic cylinders are typically coupled in parallel so thatthey move together upon actuation.

Center reel support arm 58 is pivotally coupled at one end thereof withcenter platform section 16 above the opening leading to feeder housing14. Center reel support arm 58 rotationally carries an inboard end ofeach reel 56 at an opposite end thereof. A hydraulic motor 62 or othersuitable mechanical drive rotationally drives each reel 56. Moreparticularly, hydraulic motor 62 drives a common drive shaft 64 througha chain and sprocket or other suitable arrangement (not shown). Therotational speed of reels 56 can be adjusted by an operator by adjustingthe rotational speed of hydraulic motor 62.

Center reel support arm 58 may be selectively moved up and down using ahydraulic cylinder 66. Center reel support arm 58 is movableindependently from outer reel support arms 60. To accommodate thisindependent movement, drive shaft 64 driven by hydraulic motor 62 iscoupled at each end thereof via a universal joint 68 with a respectivereel 56. This independent movement of center reel support arm 58 can beaccomplished manually using a separate actuating switch or lever inoperator's cab 70, or automatically using an electronic controller 72located within cab 70 or other suitable location.

According to an aspect of the present invention, each platform section16, 18 and 20 has a leading edge which is configured to allow cutterbarassembly 22 to flex an appreciable extent in a localized manner acrossthe width of cutting platform 12.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, each float arm 28 has a distal end adjacentthe leading edge of cutting platform 12. The float arms 28 associatedwith each respective platform section 16, 18 and 20 are mounted with acorresponding flexible substrate 74 extending substantially across thewidth of that particular platform section 16, 18 or 20. Flexiblesubstrate 74 for each particular platform section 16, 18 and 20 inessence forms the backbone to which the other modular components (to bedescribed hereinafter) are mounted and allows flexibility of theplatform section across the width thereof. In the embodiment shown,flexible substrate 74 is a steel plate with various mounting holesformed therein, and has a modulus of elasticity providing a desireddegree of flexibility. The geometric configuration and material typefrom which flexible substrate 74 is formed may vary, depending upon theapplication.

The distal end of each float arm 28 is fastened to a knife guard 46,flexible substrate 74, crop ramp 76 and hold down 48. Cutterbar 30,including blades 44 carried by bar 78, is reciprocally carried by knifeguards 46. Hold downs 48 which are spaced across the width of cutterbar30 retain bar 78 within the corresponding grooves formed in knife guards46.

Crop ramps 76 are overlapped but not rigidly attached to each other,thereby allowing flexure during harvesting operation. Each crop ramp 76forms an upper ledge positioned above endless belt 32 which assists inmaintaining the crop material on endless belt 32 as it is transportedtoward feeder housing 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, crop ramp76 has a flat, angled orientation to assist in transport of the cropmaterial from cutterbar assembly 22 to endless belt 32. For certainapplications, it may be possible to eliminate crop ramps 76.

A bushing housing 80 also mounted to flexible substrate 74 carries abushing (not shown) which in turn carries a mount 82 for rotatablysupporting roller 54.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, endless belt 32 is guided by a pluralityof belt guides 84, upper run carriers 86 and lower run carriers 88.Endless belt 32 has a plurality of spaced apart cleats 90 which do notextend to the lateral side edges thereof, allowing belt 32 to travelbetween belt guides 84 and upper run carriers 86 without unnecessaryclearance space therebetween.

Each belt guide 84 is positioned adjacent to but is not connected with acorresponding crop ramp 76. The number and width of belt guides 84substantially corresponds to the number and width of crop ramps 76. Eachbelt guide 84 has a generally L-shaped cross-sectional configurationwith leading and trailing edges (relative to the direction of travel ofendless belt 32) which are overlapped relative to each other. In FIG. 6,the direction of travel of the upper run of endless belt 32 between beltguides 84 and upper run carriers 86 is indicated by directional arrow92. As will be observed, each belt guide 84 includes a tongue 94 whichis underlapped with an adjacent belt guide 84. The direction ofunderlapping between adjacent belt guides 84 is generally opposite tothe travel direction of endless belt 32. On the other hand, the cropmaterial which is carried by endless belt 32 also slides along the uppersurface of each belt guide 84. The underlap arrangement between adjacentbelt guides 84 is in the same direction as the crop material across theupper surfaces thereof, resulting in less resistance and accumulation ofthe crop material as it slides along belt guides 84.

As described above with regard to crop ramp 76, belt guides 84 also maymove relative to each other during flexure of cutting platform 12. Toaccommodate such movement, adjacent belt guides 84 are underlapped in amanner providing a clearance distance 96 therebetween. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 6, clearance distance 96 is between 4 to 25 millimeters,preferably approximately between 6 to 12 millimeters. This clearancedistance has been found to be suitable to prevent impingement betweenadjacent belt guides 84 during maximum flexure in a downward direction.

Upper run carriers 86 and lower run carriers 88 each have down turnedleading and trailing edges to prevent catching with endless belt 32. Asmay be observed in FIG. 6, each upper run carrier 86 and generallyvertically aligned lower run carrier 88 are positioned in correspondencewith and generally below a belt guide 84 and crop ramp 76. Endless belt32 is for the most part in fact carried by the upper surfaces of upperrun carriers 86 during operation. Conversely, endless belt 32 typicallydoes not ride along the upper surfaces of lower run carriers 88, whichassist in guiding endless belt 32 in the event of belt sagging, etc.

Configured as shown in FIG. 5, the leading edge of cutting platform 12has a projected height of between approximately 3 to 4 inches. Theprojected height is primarily defined by the distance between skid shoe96 and the upper extent of crop ramp 76.

During harvesting operation, float arms 28 are placed in a float stateallowing free upward and downward movement as combine 10 traverses overthe ground surface. Cutterbar assembly 22 moves up and down with floatarms 28 on a localized basis, and crop ramps 76 and belt guides 84 moverelative to each other to allow the flexibility at the leading edge ofeach platform section 16, 18 and 20. Belt guides 84 also cause each belt32 to follow the cutterbar assembly by holding down on the upper surfaceof the belt as cutterbar assembly 22 locally dips downward. Thisprevents crop material from entering beneath belt 32. The presentinvention therefore provides a cutting platform which flexes to a highdegree, efficiently moves crop material to the feeder housing, andmaximizes harvest yield by better following the ground contour.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a fragmentary, sectional viewthrough the leading edge of another embodiment of a cutting platform 100of the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is in manyrespects similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and described above.The primary difference is that cutting platform 100 includes a pluralityof adjacent and overlapped crop ramps 102 with a generally verticalfront wall and the crop retaining ledge shifted closer to the cutterbaradjacent the front wall. This allows more room under the crop ramps foraccommodating the various components which are interconnected together.Additionally, shifting the crop retaining ledge to the front wall whichis closer to the cutterbar allows the crop material to be shifted ontothe upper deck adjacent endless belt 32 sooner, and also provides aslightly larger carrying surface as the crop material is moved towardfeeder housing 14.

Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent thatvarious modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

1. An agricultural harvesting machine, comprising: a feeder housing; anda cutting platform attached to said feeder housing, said cuttingplatform including a plurality of platform sections, each said platformsection including a leading edge, at least one said platform sectionincluding: a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwardsand downwards directions; an endless belt; and a plurality of beltguides positioned partially above said endless belt adjacent saidleading edge, said belt guides being movable relative to each other. 2.The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein each said beltguide comprises a plate.
 3. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim2, wherein adjacent said plates overlap.
 4. The agricultural harvestingmachine of claim 3, wherein said plates overlap with a gap of between 4to 25 mm.
 5. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 4, whereinsaid plates overlap with a gap of between 6 to 12 mm.
 6. Theagricultural harvesting machine of claim 3, wherein said plates have anupper surface overlapping in a direction corresponding to a traveldirection of said endless belt.
 7. The agricultural harvesting machineof claim 3, wherein said plates have a lower surface overlapping in adirection opposite to a travel direction of said endless belt.
 8. Theagricultural harvesting machine of claim 3, wherein said leading edgehas a height of between approximately 3 to 4 inches.
 9. The agriculturalharvesting machine of claim 1, wherein said cutterbar assembly includesa flexible substrate.
 10. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim1, further including a plurality of crop ramps extending between saidcutterbar assembly and said plurality of belt guides, said crop rampsbeing movable relative to each other.
 11. The agricultural harvestingmachine of claim 10, wherein said crop ramps have one of an angled frontface and a generally vertical front face.
 12. The agriculturalharvesting machine of claim 1, wherein each said platform sectionincludes a frame, and a plurality of float arms pivotally attached tosaid frame, each said float arm carrying a roller supporting saidcorresponding endless belt and positioned inside a loop of said endlessbelt.
 13. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein saidplurality of belt guides and said rollers are positioned on oppositesides of a leading edge of said endless belt.
 14. The agriculturalharvesting machine of claim 1, wherein said plurality of platformsections comprise three platform sections.
 15. A cutting platform foruse with an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising: a plurality ofplatform sections, each said platform section including a leading edge,at least one said platform section including: a cutterbar assemblymovable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions; anendless belt; and a plurality of belt guides positioned partially abovesaid endless belt adjacent said leading edge, said belt guides beingmovable relative to each other.
 16. The cutting platform of claim 15,wherein each said belt guide comprises a plate.
 17. The cutting platformof claim 16, wherein adjacent said plates overlap.
 18. The cuttingplatform of claim 17, wherein said plates overlap with a gap of between4 to 25 mm.
 19. The cutting platform of claim 18, wherein said platesoverlap with a gap of between 6 to 12 mm.
 20. The cutting platform ofclaim 19, wherein said plates have an upper surface overlapping in adirection corresponding to a travel direction of said endless belt. 21.The cutting platform of claim 17, wherein said plates have a lowersurface overlapping in a direction opposite to a travel direction ofsaid endless belt.
 22. The cutting platform machine of claim 17, whereinsaid plurality of knife sections define a leading edge of saidcorresponding platform section, said leading edge having a height ofbetween approximately 3 to 4 inches.
 23. The cutting platform of claim13, wherein said cutterbar assembly includes a flexible substrate. 24.The cutting platform of claim 13, further including a plurality of cropramps extending between said cutterbar assembly and said plurality ofbelt guides, said crop ramps being movable relative to each other. 25.The cutting platform of claim 10, wherein said crop ramps have one of anangled front face and a generally vertical front face.
 26. The cuttingplatform of claim 15, wherein each said platform section includes aframe, and a plurality of float arms pivotally attached to said frame,each said float arm carrying a roller supporting said correspondingendless belt and positioned inside a loop of said endless belt.
 27. Thecutting platform of claim 15, wherein said plurality of belt guides andsaid rollers are positioned on opposite sides of a leading edge of saidendless belt.
 28. The cutting platform of claim 15, wherein saidplurality of platform sections comprises three platform sections.
 29. Acutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine,comprising: a plurality of platform sections, at least one said platformsection including: an endless belt and a cutterbar assembly, saidcutterbar assembly including a plurality of knife guards which aremovable relative to each other; and a plurality of belt guides, eachsaid belt guide associated with at least one said knife guard andpositioned partially above said endless belt.
 30. The cutting platformof claim 29, wherein each said platform section includes a frame, and aplurality of float arms pivotally attached to said frame, each saidfloat arm carrying a roller supporting said corresponding endless beltand positioned inside a loop of said endless belt.
 31. The cuttingplatform of claim 29, wherein said plurality of belt guides and saidrollers are positioned on opposite sides of a leading edge of saidendless belt.